AriBall is the collaborative effort of Ari Kaplan -- California Institute of Technology’s Alumni of the Decade and an MLB consultant for two decades -- and Fred Claire, former General Manager of the LA Dodgers and distinguished member of the Club’s front office for 30 years.

There are large differences in the remaining pitchers. For example, Smoltz leads with 69% first-pitch strikes and Washburn is lowest with 52%. Martinez has a 4.6 K/BB and Wellenmeyer 1.37. Ohka and Martinez have 50% better command of their fastball than Milton and Byrd.
Bedard throws curveballs 31% of the time ; Looper and Garland throw sinkers (19%) ; Smoltz, Ohka, and Contreras throw sliders more than 25% of the time.

Habits: Throws CB 3 mph faster from the stretch (72 vs 69). Locates sliders 3" up from the stretch. Rarely attempts consecutive pickoff moves (3% vs 10% avg in 62 attempts). Throws strikes on 0-2 counts, throwing balls out of the zone only 41% of the time (62% is avg). 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, 3-1, 3-2 throws FB. Does not double-up on CB - only 8% of the time (41% is avg). Infrequently throws inside twice in a row. None of his HR allowed are off pitches outside the zone (10% is avg).

Other notes: He mixes up his FB velocity broadly, usually by 4.4 mph. His CB is one of the slowest at 70.1, with a long sweeping break length that varies often. He mixes up his changeup velocity broadly, and it is often flat with little spin.

Weaknesses: Changeup velocity is not deceptively slower than FB - only 4.2 mph. Not a deceptive CH: 92% of swings make contact.

Habits: Infrequently throws inside twice in a row 19% of the time (29% is avg).Best count to steal off of is 0-2 when he tends to throw balls in the dirt. Changeup release point comes down 2.4" from the stretch.

Weaknesses: Changeup velocity is not deceptively slower than FB - only 5 mph. Not a deceptive sinker: 97% of swings make contact. Has a high ERA of 5.22. Allows many HRs - 39

Habits:3206 total pitches (57% in the strike zone). Fastball and slider release points come down 2-3 inches from the stretch. Gets good spin on his slider (13% above avg). Throws sliders inside and high to lefties.

Strengths: He is successful against righties when he keeps his fastballs and changeups below the knees. Very successful against lefties when he keeps his fastball across the numbers away, and curveball at the knees away. His “expected ERA” is 3.18, well below the 4.6 average. His command of pitches is well above average. He strikes out more and walks less per 9 IP, giving him a 3.4 K/BB (2.1 avg).

Weaknesses: He did not play in 2009 – how did he end 2008? His release points for curveballs come up 6-8 inches above his fastball. At the last month of 2008, his release points came up 6” before ending the season. Over the same time, his velocities of fastball and curveball declined by 5mph.